How to pass the Sprechen section of TestDaF digital

The speaking part is usually a nightmare only in the imagination of the student. This is largely because in traditional exams such as Goethe-Zertifikat, telc or ÖSD, it is the only section taken directly in front of two examiners. Depending on the level, it can be a pair, group, or individual conversation. However, it is usually the presence of two real examiners that causes fear. What if I don’t understand? What if I get confused? What if I don’t know something? How should I react?

But in reality, examiners are the least thing to worry about. They have clear pronunciation and do not make mistakes that could lead to misunderstanding. A poorly prepared partner can cause far more serious problems. However, even in this case there are solutions. Communication with a partner in the exam will be discussed in more detail in the next article.

TestDaF Speaking Exam

The TestDaF exam is undoubtedly the most specific when it comes to the Sprechen section. It does not matter whether you take the paper-based or digital version - this part has the same structure: you receive a task, have from half a minute to three minutes to prepare, and must record your answer into a microphone. That means there is neither a partner nor an examiner in front of you. This both simplifies and complicates the task.

The advantages include:

However, there are also significant disadvantages:

Most disadvantages can be minimized with proper preparation.

How to prepare for the Sprechen section of TestDaF

The principles and assessment criteria of the speaking exam are explained in detail in the preparation course for the TestDaF digital Sprechen section.

First of all, it is important to understand that success in the exam depends not on your desire to speak freely as in a friendly conversation, but on understanding the examiner’s expectations and the assessment criteria. Using the TestDaF digital format as an example, we can identify key criteria that transform ordinary speech into a professional response. The most important thing is to speak fluently, avoiding long pauses or constant self-corrections, while maintaining grammatical correctness without excessive perfectionism, since even mistakes in articles still allow you to achieve the highest score TDN 5.

Your answer should be as structured and well-argued as possible: it is important to strictly follow the task, not jump from one topic to another, and not return to points already mentioned. Special attention should be paid to objectivity, avoiding subjective statements such as “I like it” or “this is good/bad”, and instead demonstrating a deep command of the material.

As you can see, success consists of many nuances, from clarity of expression to the ability to stay “on topic.” Understanding each of these aspects will bring you closer to the desired result, and applying them together will make your position in the exam practically “unshakable.” 😉

Practice before the exam

Practice before the exam is also very important. It plays a particularly significant role before TestDaF digital, since the speaking part is organized in a rather unusual way.

The best approach is to complete several mock exams before the real one. This builds confidence and demonstrates possible topics and task structures. Mock exams also help you manage time, as limitations on both preparation and response time often become a serious obstacle.

So, here is our simple recipe for passing TestDaF digital Sprechen perfectly:

With thorough preparation, the Sprechen section will become the easiest part of the exam!